USDA’s Major Shake-Up: Over Half of D.C. Employees to Relocate in Bold Reorganization Plan

The Agriculture Department is shaking things up. They plan to shift more than half of their workforce from Washington, D.C. to regional hubs nationwide. This move is part of a larger reorganization strategy.

Over 15,000 employees are set to leave the agency this year, thanks to offers of early retirement and deferred resignations. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins reassured staff that there won’t be large-scale layoffs. However, she mentioned that some reductions might happen if necessary. In a recent video, she highlighted plans to simplify regional office management and eliminate redundant functions.

This relocation effort is more extensive than previous attempts. Back in 2019, the Trump administration tried to move several hundred USDA roles to Kansas City. Many employees chose to leave instead of relocating.

USDA claims this change aims to position employees closer to the communities they serve, cutting costs in a time when the workforce grew significantly under the current administration. Between 2020 and 2024, USDA’s workforce expanded by 8%, with salaries rising by 14.5%. Despite this growth, federal data shows that the number of USDA employees in the D.C. area actually declined by nearly 600 during that same period.

Rollins pointed out that the USDA is committed to realigning federal spending and enhancing service delivery. By relocating, they hope to reduce costs associated with D.C.’s high living expenses, where locality pay rates sit at 33.94%. The department will set up hubs in five cities:

1. Raleigh, North Carolina
2. Kansas City, Missouri
3. Indianapolis, Indiana
4. Fort Collins, Colorado
5. Salt Lake City, Utah

About 90% of USDA employees already work outside of the D.C. area. The agency will relocate approximately 4,600 workers, ensuring that essential teams and functions remain in the capital with at least 2,000 employees staying in the region. Interestingly, the announcement caught many employees off guard; a USDA worker shared that staff received the news only 20 minutes before the press release went public.

This reorganization promises to streamline operations by reducing the number of regional offices. Critical services will remain functional, especially in light of hiring needs in firefighting and public safety roles, which are exempt from a government hiring freeze set to last until mid-October.

As USDA embarks on this significant transition, Rollins acknowledged the potential personal impact on employees and their families, promising to support them throughout the process. It’s a notable shift, reminiscent of past efforts but on a far larger scale, as the department aims to modernize and enhance its efficiency for the benefit of all Americans.

For more information on USDA’s changes, visit the official USDA page or follow news updates from sources like Federal News Network.

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